Social connection means having relationships in which we can belong, be ourselves, give and receive support, and share meaningful experiences. It is more than being surrounded by people. It is about feeling seen, valued and part of something. Finding the people and communities with whom we can laugh, talk, play, explore and simply be. Humans are social creatures, and belonging is not an optional extra to wellbeing. It is part of what makes a life feel meaningful.
What does the evidence say?
There is a good reason social connection is considered an important part of health and wellbeing. Strong relationships and a sense of belonging are associated with better mental wellbeing, greater resilience and better health outcomes, while persistent loneliness and social isolation are associated with poorer health. The evidence for connection is striking. A landmark meta-analysis of 148 studies involving more than 308,000 people found that people with stronger social relationships had a 50% greater likelihood of survival than those with weaker relationships. The researchers concluded that the influence of social relationships on mortality was comparable with several established risk factors. The US Surgeon General has subsequently described social connection as fundamental to individual and community health, noting that social isolation is associated with a substantially increased risk of premature mortality.
How connection has woven itself into my life
Connection has perhaps been the most complicated of these pillars for me, and therefore one of the most important. I’ve spent much of my life surrounded by people through sport, teaching, coaching, raising my children and building communities around movement but I’ve learned that being surrounded by people isn’t necessarily the same as feeling that you belong. What I’ve increasingly looked for is something deeper, people with whom I can be completely myself, be curious and playful, share challenges, laugh at the things that go wrong and be vulnerable when life is difficult. Some of my strongest connections have been built through shared experiences, swimming, walking, cycling, travelling, cooking, camping, racing, coaching and simply being outside together. I’ve also learned through travelling and adventuring on my own that independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone; some of the greatest adventures are made richer by the people you meet along the way. My search for connection has therefore become less about how many people I know and more about finding my tribe: people who share some of my values, curiosity and love of the outdoors, and communities where there is a genuine sense of mutual support, belonging and shared experience. That’s what I want to create through Organic Adventure Coaching, a community where people can turn up as themselves, find their people and discover that adventure is often better when it’s shared.
“Find your people. Find your place”
Connect. Belong. Share. Thrive.